Flash steamer for refreshening food products



April 13, 1954 A. LEwls ETAL FLASH STEAMER FOR REFRESHENING Foon PRODUCTS Filed Jan. 25, 195o 7 Sheets-Sheet l April 13, 1954 A. I Ewls ETAL FLASH STEAMER FOR REFRESHENING FOOD PRODUCTS Filed Jan. 25 1950 7 SheetS-Sheei'l 2 iIllllll (46 49\1 (47 {5'4- INVENTORS. Magm- Lcw/s. I anulan F. KLEMM.

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April 13, 1954 A. LEWIS ET AL FLASH STEAMER FOR REFRESHENING FOOD PRODUCTS 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 25, 1950 INVENTORS. L en?" LEWIS maa/AM F. KLEM BY A'TTORNE April 13, 1954 A. I Ewls ET AL FLASH STEAMER FOR REFRESHENING FOOD PRODUCTS Filed Jan. 25 1950 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 u. 5. M 5.. mwx N EEF VL wrm Rm .c L ma .uw V.. B 0 l J B N M. 3

FLASH STEAMERy FOR REFRESHENING FOOD PRODUCTS '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 25 1950 n. NrM

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April 13, 1954 A. LEWIS ETAL FLASH STEAMER FOR REFRESHENING Foon PRODUCTS Filed Jan. 25, 195o 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS. 'v usen 7' LIU/s. BY @man F um.

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April 13, 1954 Filed Jan. 25, 1950 A. LEWIS ETAL FLASH STEAMER FOR REFRESHENING FOOD PRODUCTS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATToRNeY Patented Apr. 13, 1954 OFFICE FLASH STEAMER FOR REFRESHENING FOOD PRODUCTS Albert Lewis and William F. Klemm, Detroit, Mich.

Application January 25, 1950, Serial No. 140,526

8 Claims.

Our invention relates to a new and useful improvement in flash steamers for re-freshening food products and particularly adapted for use in refreshening buns which are used in making sandwiches and for other purposes. in making various kinds of sandwiches and particularly sandwiches embodying a hot frankfurter or a hot hamburger it is customary to steam the buns so that it also will be hot, in a fresh condition, and highly palatable. It is also desirable that the steaming do not render the buns soggy or excessively moist. This is one of the difficulties encountered where the buns are placed in a steamer for a period of time, and removed from the Steamer periodically when desired, The present invention is intended to provide a structure whereby the refreshening of the buns can be easily and quickly effected so as to avoid the objectionable features of the constant steaming and to provide a product superior in many respects so far as its condition and particularly its freshness is concerned. While the invention is particularly adapted for refreshening buns used for sandwiches it will appear obvious from the description that it may also be used for refreshening other types of food such as sweet rolls, ordinary bread rolls and similar food products.

ln addition to using the invention for refreshening foods, the device may also be used as a sterilizer. When used for such purposes, the in- ,Y

strument to be sterilized would be placed in the compartment provided and in the operation or" the device an instantaneous sterilization of the instruments may be effected. This is particularly useful in surgery where an emergency is encountered. It is also particularly useful in eld operations where a standard sterilizer containing boiling water is not available. Of course, by having a structure operated in the manner of the present invention, that is by flash production of super heated steam, sterilization is quickly eiected thus avoiding delay which is encountered when it is necessary to raise a large quantity of water to the boiling point.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a mechanism whereby steam may be delivered to the food products to be refreshened in a dash operation and in such a manner that the steam will, while in a dry state, be forced to penetrate the food product.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism whereby a predetermined amount of water will be delivered to the steam generating section and this steam instantaneously generated and delivered to the product to be operated upon.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a structure of this type of mechanism whereby a delivery of the specified amount of water may be automatically effected and determined.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism whereby the predetermined amount of water delivered to the heat generating system may be instantly turned into steam and rendered into a dry state.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a food refreshening device of this class which will be simple in structure, economical in manufacture, durable, compact, easy of operation and highly efficient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various modifications and changes may be made in the detail of the structure illustrated Without departing from the invention and it is to be understood that the disclosure herein is but the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Forming a part of this specication are drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View, taken on line l-i of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan View with parts broken away and parts shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line -l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 'l is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 'i-E of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a plate showing a slight modification in the invention.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the wiring used in the invention.

Fig. 10 is a central longitudinal sectional view oi a nozzle used in the invention.

Fig. 1l is a longitudinal vertical sectional view showing a modification.

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal central sectional View showing a further modification.

Fig. i3 is a fragmentary sectional View showing a modification.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the modification shown in Fig. 13.

As shown in the drawings the invention as illustrated comprises a base i8 having between the top and the bottom thereof the inwardly projecting flange I9. Formed on this base at one side is the enlarged boss 20 in which is formed a expel a predetermined quantityV of water outwardly thru the outlet pipe 83. This water will be delivered thru the passage 88 formed in the nozzle and outwardly thru the lateral passages 89 into the groove 89a from which it will be forced outwardly thru the lateral passages 89 into the groove 89a from which it will be forced outwardly beneath the disk 92 a thin sheet-like formation so as to strike against the sharp ends of the ribs 4': which are located between each of the channels 46. In this manner the liquid is divided into a plurality of very fine streams which pass into the channels or troughs 46 and these ne streams are instantly turned into steam and, on account of the high temperature, the steam becomes super-heated and consequently a dry super-heated steam is forced under pressure thru the openings 93. Experience has shown that the steam ejected thru there openings 93 will pass inwardly into the buns and with the ordinary elongated bun of customary size this penetration will be about to the center of the bun. At the same time the steam will surround the bun and ll both of the cavities 4| and 40. Experience has shown that when a bun is placed in the cavity 4| and the cover lowered, it may be immediately raised as the steaming of the bun is instantaneous or done in aff1ash. 4The device may be used indenitely for repeated operations so that the operator may continue to place a bun in the bun receiving chamber, lower the cover and immediately raise the cover and remove the bun and replace it with another. Experience has also shown that a very palatable produce is obtained and the texture of the bun considerably increased because of being subjected to a steaming operation in this manner. The water container 12 is preferably transparent, so that all observers may readily ascertain that the water used for steaming is clean while at the same time the operator may observe when it is necessary to remove and replace the container T2 because of the consumption of water.

In Fig. 3 we have illustrated a slight modiiication. In this view we have shown a plate 43a,

which would be substituted for the plate 42 which has a marginal iiange 43a and is provided with a cavity 4|a. The under surface of this plate 42a would be constructed as the under surface of the plate 42 having the channels 46a with the opening 93a and the well 49a. The cavity Hcl thus formed would be sufficient to receive a pair of circular buns 94. When this plate 43a is used the cover 29 would, of course, be modied so far as the cavity 40 is concerned so as to cooperate with the cavity 4|0L to provide a chamber for reception of the circular buns 94.

In Fig. 1l we have shown a modiiication which may be fabricated from stampings and which comprises a base |9|. Slidably mounted on this base by means of the hinge |03 isa cover |02. A cable |04 proceeds from the interior'of the base |0| to the interior of the cover |02. An electric socket plug |05 is mounted on the base |0| to aiiord connections to the electric circuit. The heating element 96 is embedded in a groove in the block |01 of insulating material which is mounted on the plate |09 by means of the pipe |09 and the nuts |59 and IH. This nut H9 is of the cap type and has the lateral passages I |0c from which fluid delivered thru the pipe |69 may pass into the space between plates ||2 and |08. When this iiuid strikes thel plate |08 it willbe converted into steam and super-heated and pass thru the openings ||3 in the plate |`|2 into the chamber |45.

In the cover |02 is the concave dish-like member supported on which is an electric heating element H6 fitted into the groove formed in the insulating block This block is held mounted on the member ||5 by means of the tubular screw H8 cn which is threaded a nut ||9 which also secures the deecting plate in position. This screw IIS threads into the hub |23 formed on the plate |24 which forms the bottom of a container |25 having an outlet opening |26 formed therein. Extended thru the screw ||8 is a passage |2| communicating with the passage |22 formed in the hub |23 so that steam passing from the compartment or chamber |45 will pass into the member |25. A bracket |21 serves to support a handle |2'la on the cover |02.

Mounted with in the base IGI is a reservoir |28 in which water is deposited. Extending into this reservoir is a cylinder |29 having the openings !30 communicating with the interior of the reservoir |23. Slidably mounted in the cylinder |29 is a piston |3| connected to which is a piston rod |32. A coil spring |33 embraces the piston rod |32 and normally serves to retain the piston |3| forced to the right o Fig. 1l.

A pin |34 is extended transversely thru the rod |32 and engages in a notch |35 formed in the plate |36 on which is mounted a handle |31 and which is pivoted at |38 on the bracket |39. A

spring serves to normally prevent downward rocking of the plate |36. Pipe |4| communicates with the interior of the pipe |09 and also opens into the passage |43 formed in the head |42. rIhis passage |43 is in communication with the interior of the cylinder |29.

It is obvious that upon downward rocking of plate |3i, the cylinder |3| will, when it is drawn to the left, trap the liquid contained within the cylinder |29 after it passes the opening |32 and thus force a predetermined amount of liquid to be projected outwardly thru the openings llilc. When the plate |08 is at the proper temperature this liquid will immediately be transformed into super-heated steam and pass thru the openings ||3 to refreshen the bun or other article placed in chamber |45.

In Fig. 12 we have shown a further modification in which we have illustrated the base supporting the block |5| having a chamber |52 formed therein communicating thru the openings |53 with the receiving cavity |54. Formed in the bottom of the block |5| is a circular groove |55 in which is positioned an electric heating element |56 controlled by the thermostat |51 and held in position by means of plate |53.

A cover |59 contains a cup shaped member |60 havin?I the cavity |6l formed therein and provided on its base, at the outer side thereof, is a circular recess |65 in which is positioned an electric heating element |62 held in place by the plate |63. Projecting thru the plate and thru the plate |63 is the tubular member |64 which also projects thru the cover l5! and is held in position by means of the nut |65. A flange |66 serves to support the member |60. Mounted in the block |5| is the fitting |33 having the passage |39 leading therefrom to a distributing head i'i. Communicating with this passage |68 is a pipe |30 connected by the fitting in communication with the cylinder |62 which is enclosed by the cylinder |83, this cylinder and sleeve being supported by the supports |94 and |35. Slidably mounted in the cylinder |82 is a piston it `project/i. from which is the piston rod lill' which is pit connected. by means of the pin |59 extended thru the slot |90 to the rockable mi Tl'i arr-zi iii-i3 iuraily mounted on the shaft lei wl h journaled in the block |92 so that by rocking of 'the shaft |94 reciprooation ci the piston may be ei"- fected. in center ci the cylinder |82 are the openings coninuinicating with the interior of the sleeve |83.

A reservoir |33 is ntiounted on the base oi l5@ by means or the bracket |5313. The interior or this reservoir in communication with the pipe |91 thru the ttings |55 and iet. A water container |523 is positioned in an inverted position on the reservoir ifso that water .may tlov out of the container lil@ into th'Ax reservoir ISS and thru the pipe |53? into the interior of the sleeve |83. Upon reeiprocation oi the piston it to the left of Fig. i3 so to uncover openings ilc it is believed obvious that a quantity of Water will flow into the cylinder ist in iront of the piston. Upon movement of the piston in the opposite direction. this amount ci trapped. Water will be forced outwardly thru the pipe M to be deposited upon the bett` ci 'the chanber 552 Where it will immediately be coa. fort-ed into steam so as to pass thru the openi: i553. The excess steam will pass outwardly from the cavities 554-461 thru the tube lfi, '.hese cavities i and M51 tcgether form a chamber into u to be reirorshened by the st The base and reservoir a e porting legs In tvo anodine shown in ll l2 the amount of thus forced into the steam gener ing clim" bei: converted to steam and s thru narrow openings into the into which t article to be retires..

is posi ioned and a flash steaming is thus accomplished in these modified forms as Well as in the referred form.

In Fig. 13 and 1li We have shown a slight modification in which the Water container is attached directly to the city supply of Water or other source of Water under pressure. Positioned Within the base lsb below the iiange lfla, a block havingr a cylinder forming passage 25! formed therein. Slidable in this passage 25| arc the valve spools E52 and connected together by the member 2M. Communicating with the passage 251 is the enlarged recess 26S in which slidably engages the plunger 261 having at its lower a collar 258 which snugly ts the reces#- serves as a guide. A stand 2159 forms the continuation ci' the plunger 251 and, is provide-d with a tapered end 219 seating in the tapered recess or cavity 21| formed in the pin 212 which is carried by the plate a of the cover and which is adapted to project thru the opening 213 formed in the flange Ma.

Formed in the block Zlio is a reservoir 214 which serves as a cylinder for the piston 215 which is slidably mounted therein and. which is normally urged upwardly by the spring 216. This charm ber or reservoir 21e communicates thru the passage 211 with the interior of the passage 26|. A conduit 218 is in. communication with the Water supply system pressure and communicates with the Btl. A conduit 319 communicotes with. the passage 26| and corresponds to the pipe or conduit shown in Fig. l. As shown in i3 the valve spools 252 and 2da have been moved downwardly against the compression of `the spring 265 and the communication of the conduit 218 with the passage 26| is closed while the communication of the conduit 219 with the passage 25| is opened. Upon raising the cover that the pin N2 is raised upwardly, the valve spools will move upwardly in response to the pressure of the sprin 255 so that the communication of the conduit 2l@ with the passage 26| will be closed and communication of the conduit 213 with the passage 25| will be open. When this conduit 218 is opened by the valve spool 262, a Water under pressure will flow from the conduit 2l@ into the passage 26| and thence thru the passage 211 into the chamber 215 forcing the piston 215 downwardly against the compression of the spring 2'i6 so that the space above the piston N5 will be filled with water under pressure. When the cover is again lowered, the valve will be moved to the position shown in 13 and the water Within the chamber 214 :forced outwardly by virtue of the piston $4.15 moving upwardly in response to the prescf the spring thus delivering a predeined amount of water to the outlet nozzle. This structure shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 is e which. .'.s c able in many instances over the structure in which the water container is used. tieni-arly is this so from the standpoint of ce and sanitation.

id into said compartment; and a mete lng device interposed in said conduit for, upon acaiation, metering the amount 0:5 liquid 'i into compartment; an article re- .nent for the reception of articles and having openings formed theremunicating with said liquid receiving compartment for reception of steam from said liquid receiving compartment; a cover for said article receiving compartment; and a plunger engageable with said cover upon closing the same for actuating said metering device.

2. In a flash steamer of the class described, an

article receiving compartment; a cover for said compartment, a ing element for heating said compartment; a liquid receiving,r compartment; a heating element for heating said liquid r ceiving compartment and converting into steam Water delivered thcreinto; a conduit for conducting Water into Water receiving compartment, there being openings conc-.r said Water receiving compartment W. .h said first named compartment; and a tering niecliani interposed in said conduit for, upon actuation, meas-- uring the amount of water delivered into said water receivio compartment thru said conduit; said cover bei g sivingable to open and closed positions and a plunger engageable with. cover upon movcrn ont oi the same to positions for actuating said ioetering device.

3. In a iiash steamer ci? the class described, a plate having a cavity formed therein for the reception of articles deposited therein; a cover swingably mounted on having a cavity formed therein d `v.csed relation to the cavity in said plate to provide, with said cavity, a compartment; a element for heating said compartment; liquid receiving ccnipartme,.-s adapted for the reception oi liquids; a heating element for heating liqu receiving compartment and converting the liquid into said liquid receiving compartment being in. communication thru openings with said first named cavity;

e. conduit for delivering liquid into said liquid receiving compartment; a nozzle in said liquid receiving compartment for converting the liquid into a nne spray; a plurality of spaced-apart blades in said liquid receiving compartment for separating said spray into separate divisions; and a slidable plunger interposed in said circuit and adapted upon sliding movement for controlling the delivery of liquid thru said conduit and determining the amount of liquid delivered thru said conduit.

4. In a flash steamer of the class described, a

late having a cavity formed therein for the reception of arti-cles deposited therein; a cover swingably mounted on said plate and having a 1 cavity formed therein in opposed relation to the cavity in said plate to provide with said cavity a compartment; a heating element for heating said compartment; a liquid receiving compartment adapted for the reception of liquids; a heating element for heating said liquid receiving compartment and converting the liquid into steam, said liquid receiving compartment being in communication thru openings with said first named cavity; a conduit for delivering liquid into said liquid receiving compartment; a nozzle in said liquid receiving compartment for converting the liquid into a fine spray; a plurality of spaced-apart blades in said liquid receiving compartment for separating said spray into separate divisions; and a slidable plunger interposed in said conduit and adapted upon sliding movement for controlling the delivery of liquid thru said conduit and determining the amount of liquid delivered thru said conduit; and a push rod operable for moving said plunger in one direction upon moving of the cover into closed position.

5, In a fiash steamer of the class described, a plate having a cavity formed therein for the reception of articles deposited therein; a cover swingably mounted on said plate and having a cavity formed therein in opposed relation to the cavity in said plate to provide with said cavity a compartment; a heating element for heating said compartment; a liquid receiving compartment adapted for the reception of liquids; a heating element for heating said liquid receiving compartment and converting the liquid into steam, said liquid receiving compartment being in communication thru openings with said iirst named cavity; a conduit for delivering liquid into said liquid receiving compartment; a nozzle in said liquid receiving compartment for converting the liquid into a iine spray; a plurality of spaced-apart blades in said liquid receiving compartment for separating said spray into separate divisions; and a slidable plunger interposed in said conduit and adapted upon sliding movement for controlling the delivery of liquid thru said conduit and determining the amount of liquid delivered thru said conduit; and a push rod operable for moving said plunger in one direction upon moving of the cover into closed position; and a handle on said cover for securing said cover in closed position.

6. In a flash steamer for refreshening food products, a plate having a cavity formed therein; a cover swingably mounted on said plate and having a cavity formed therein in opposed relation to the cavity in said plate to provide with said cavity a compartment for reception of articles placed therein; a liquid receiving compartment adapted for the reception of liquids and placed in juxtaposition to said rst-named compartment, one of the sides of said first-named compartment having openings formed therethrough communicating with said liquid receiving compartment, said cover being movable to open and closed position; a conduit for delivering liquid into said liquid receiving compartment; a metering mechanism interposed in said circuit and operable upon swinging oi said cover from open to closed position for metering and delivering into said liquid receiving compartment a predetermined amount o liquid; and a heating element for heating said liquid receiving compartment and maintaining the same at a temperature sufciently high for converting liquid delivered into said liquid receiving compartment into steam.

7. In a ash steamer for refreshening food products, an article receiving compartment for reception of articles placed therein; a cover for closing said article receiving compartment, said cover being swingable to open and closed position; a liquid receiving compartment in juxtaposition to said iirst-named compartment for reception of liquid, there being a plurality of openings establishing communication between said compartments; a heating element for heating said liquid receiving compartment for converting into steam liquid delivered thereinto; a conduit for delivering liquid into said liquid receiving compartment; and a metering mechanism interposed in said circuit for metering and delivering a predetermined amount of liquid into said liquid receiving compartment upon the movement of said cover from open to closed position.

8. In a iiash steamer for refreshening food products, an article receiving compartment for reception of articles placed therein; Iai-cover for closing said article receiving compartment, said cover being swingable to open and closed position; a liquid receiving compartment in juxtaposition to said first-named compartment for reception of liquid, there being a plurality of openingsl establishing communication between said compartments; a heating element for heating said liquid receiving compartment for converting into steam liquid delivered thereinto; a conduit for delivering liquid into said liquid receiving compartment; and a metering mechanism interposed in said circuit for metering and delivering a predetermined amount of liquid into said liquid receiving compartment upon the movement of said cover from open to closed position; and a heating element for heating said first-named compartment.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 666,216 Zeininger Jan. 15, 1901 771,795 Gilmor Oct. 4, 1904 1,081,463 Pentz Dec. 16, 1913 1,226,500 Fuehler May 15, 1917 1,282,252 Lueders Oct. 22, 1918 2,039,313 Haas May 5, 1936 2,082,460 Omsted June 1, 1937 2,088,462 Buium July 27, 1937 2,118,177 Davis Nov. 28, 1939 2,161,613 Cofling June 6, 1939 2,291,423 Tiscornia July 28, 1942 2,426,939 Libman et al Sept. 2, 1947 2,469,778 Morici May 10, 1949 2,502,445 Fash Apr. 4, 1950 2,505,656 Wagner Apr. 25, 1950 

